2017-2018 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
College of Health Professions
Administration
Dean: Olsson
Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Studies: Beck
Associate Dean for Research: Bacon-Baguley
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Hall
Website
Mission
The College of Health Professions strives to be a model of excellence in health care education in the 21st century. The mission of the college is to prepare reflective professionals with the foundation necessary to serve and guide health care.
Program Information
The College of Health Professions houses 20 majors and programs in the following 13 disciplines.
Clinical Doctorate Degree
Physical Therapy
Master's Degrees
Clinical Dietetics
Medical Dosimetry
Occupational Therapy
Physician Assistant Studies
Public Health
Speech-Language Pathology
Baccalaureate Degrees
Allied Health Sciences with selection of an emphasis
American Sign Language Interpreting
General Allied Health Science (minor required)
Health Professional Degree Completion
Histotechnology
Prehealth Physical Therapy
Prehealth Physician Assistant Studies
Prehealth Speech Language Pathology
Respiratory Care
Cardiovascular Sonography
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Abdominal and OB/GYN
Health Information Management
Medical Laboratory Science
Radiation Therapy
Therapeutic Recreation
Graduate Certificate
Clinical Research Trial Management
Accreditation
The medical laboratory science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science. The radiation therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The cardiovascular sonography program is accredited under the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) and programmatically through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Cardiovascular Technology (JRC-CVT). The diagnostic medical sonography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS). The occupational therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). The physician assistant studies program is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The physical therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association. The speech-language pathology M.S. program is a candidate for accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The clinical dietetics program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), which is the accrediting agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). The public health program is undergoing accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Undergraduate Secondary Admission
Four undergraduate majors in the College of Health Professions require a selective secondary admissions/application process: medical laboratory science, therapeutic recreation, health information management, and allied health sciences in the following emphases: histotechnology, respiratory care, American Sign Language interpreting, prehealth professional dosimetry, and prehealth speech-language pathology. See the Academic Programs section of the catalog for details.
Admission into diagnostic medical sonography, cardiovascular sonography, and radiation therapy involves a competitive secondary admissions/application process. See appropriate Academic Program description for detailed information on undergraduate admission.
Graduate Admissions
The clinical doctorate of physical therapy, the master's degree programs in clinical dietetics, medical dosimetry, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, public health, and speech-language pathology require completion of a baccalaureate degree and submission of a graduate application and corresponding materials; admission into these programs is competitive. See appropriate Academic Program description for detailed information on the admission requirements.
Student Services
The CHP Student Services Office (CHPSS) is a key resource for academic advising services and admissions to GVSU's CHP programs and majors. GVSU students who declare a major within the College of Health Professions are each assigned to a professional academic advisor and encouraged to meet with their advisor at a minimum once per year but preferably each semester. The majority of programs in CHP are competitive; it is in the student's best interest to get academic advising throughout the college career.
Prospective and admitted students can expect to receive the following services and support from the CHP Student Services director, admissions coordinator, office coordinator, and four academic advisors.
- Academic plans: Development of achievable academic plans and access to resources for parallel plans.
- Admissions: Invitation for prospective students to visit the Cook-Devos Center for Health Sciences (CHS) and learn about the CHP programs.
- Advisor access: Academic advisors are available to students at both campuses: GVSU's Allendale campus, and in Grand Rapids at the Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences.
- Program application: Navigation through CHP's undergraduate secondary admissions process and graduate program applications.
- Orientation: Academic advising during freshmen and transfer orientation.
- Policies and procedures: Clarification of university policies that pertain to and support degree completion.
- Referrals: Introduction to and utilization of GVSU's campus resources, student success services, and faculty support.
The College of Health Professions encourages students to consider participation in any one of the following clubs as it pertains to program interest and eligibility.
American Sign Language Interpreting Club
Doctorate of Physical Therapy Organization
National Student Speech Language Hearing Association
Preoccupational Therapy Club
Prephysician Assistant Club
Prephysical Therapy Club
Preradiologic and Imaging Sciences Student Organization
Public Health Society
Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Student Organization
Student Occupational Therapy Association
Therapeutic Recreation Student Organization
Scholarship Resources
Numerous scholarship opportunities are available to students in their respective programs. Information regarding scholarships is available through the College of Health Profession's program websites, or through Grand Valley's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/.